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The possibilities of making the kinds of connections you want are very realistic, and many long lasting relationships and marriages have begun via online dating services, not to mention casual relationships as well if that is what you prefer. The possibilities are all right there and waiting for you, but there are a few key rules you need to know and follow in order to find your perfect date online. Download to learn The Golden Rules of Online Dating – 6 essential rules to finding the perfect online date!

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Matching the right wine to food can be tricky unless you are a connoisseur. The next time you go out to drink, do not merely ask for the restaurant’s “best bottle of wine.” In most of these cases, the servers bring back the costliest bottle that might or might not pair well with the dishes you have ordered. To avoid such faux pas, you need to take matters into your own hands.

It is time to learn the basics of pairing food with the right wine.

If you still categorize wine according to their colors – red, white and rosé only, you are making a big mistake. There are several subcategories depending upon the level of dryness, acidity, body, and subtle hints of other flavors. All wine novices will benefit from following these simple rules. Once you begin to understand the flavors of each wine, their effects on different foods and their characters, you will find it quite easy to break the rules and experiment. Here are the nine rules you must remember when you go to a wine-and-dine the next time –

The wine you pick should be more acidic than the food you have ordered. You can go with a Sauvignon Blanc, Vinho Verde, or Verdejo with your eyes closed when ordering scallops and prawns with tart dressings or sauce.

Your wine should be sweeter than the food. Shiraz, Malbec, and Côtes-du-Rhône are excellent choices for dishes based on barbeque sauce.

The food and wine should share the same flavor intensity. If you want the one wine to go with your 5-course dinner, go with Rosé Sparkling wines.

Whites pair with light-intensity, low-fat and lean meat like a light preparation of chicken or fish. Arneis and Pinot Grigio are the top choices of Sokolin Wines for light fish dishes.

The high tanning in Red wines brings the flavor of juicy steaks together. Bordeaux and California Cabernet go perfectly well with chops and steaks.

When you are thinking about ordering a fatty chop or steak, you should think about going with a bolder and bitter wine. Most bitter reds like the Cabernet Sauvignon balance well with fat.

Always think about the play of flavors between the wine and the sauce. Pair the wine with the sauce and never the meat.

When certain similar compounds in the wine and food come together to increase the intensity of certain flavors, experts refer to it as a congruent pairing. Most red wines contribute to congruent pairings.

When the compounds balance each other by creating contrasting flavors and tastes, experts refer to it as contrasting pairings. Most whites, Rosé and Sparkling, create unique contrasting pairings with food.

If you feel lost on your first fancy date, remember that most red wines have high tanning content that gives them a basic bitter taste. Red wines have the least sweetness among all wines. White wines and rosés are acidic with a tinge of sweetness and a touch of bitterness. No wines contain the three tastes of spiciness, saltiness, and fatness. That is all you need to enjoy a simple dinner with your significant other, without giving away your amateur status.

It seems that we all know how crushing it can feel to say goodbye to someone with whom we shared that phenomenon called love. All the sad and beautiful things that can happen to one couple prove to be the best lessons that life can teach us. Time makes havoc in relationships and one day you realize that you are still in that relationship due to inertia. There is no longer love, there is no desire, there is no longer interest. Continue reading

Research shows that couples who consistently spend quality time together are less likely to get divorced. Date night can also boost romantic love that is commonly linked with new-relationship passion and excitement.

Whether you enjoy low-key dates at home or fancy nights out on the town, there is a perfect date night waiting to be had. By spending time with your spouse regularly you will strengthen your communication, boost chemistry, and banish marital boredom for good.

First Date Recreations

One fantastic date night idea is to recreate the circumstances of your first date. Go back to the same restaurants, order the same food, and experience the rush of ‘getting to know’ your spouse for the ‘first time’.

As a married couple, you already live together. But you can make this date night extra romantic by pretending that you don’t get each other so often.

While your wife is getting ready, run to the store and grab a bouquet of flowers. Dressed in your best, “pick her up” at your front door. Make reservations at the restaurant you first went to together and marvel in the nostalgia.

This is a great idea for a date night because it recreates that first-date, butterflies in your stomach romance that you had when you first got together. Studies also show that reminiscing is good for your health and can help reduce symptoms of depression, boost self-esteem, and heighten life satisfaction.

Another fun route you can take with this date idea is to try and recreate your date by playing ‘strangers’. When you pick your spouse up from your house, act as though you’ve literally just met them.

Learning about your spouse and asking get-to-know-you questions can help you get to know them on a much deeper level. Even if you’ve been married for many years, you’ll no doubt learn something new.

Free Date Night

Research shows that marital satisfaction is higher when spouses are best friends.

Studies also reveal that married couples experience lowered stress and greater happiness when they are spending quality time together. it doesn’t matter if you’re up in a hot air balloon or hanging out together at home.

This date is going to take place entirely in your home. Start the evening by cooking an amazing dinner together. This can be something as simple as making breakfast for dinner or spice things up and have fun in the kitchen by choosing a complicated French meal to make together.

Light candles and eat dinner at the table, tech-free. This will allow you to give each other your undivided attention.

After dinner, the night is yours to enjoy. Sit by the fireplace together or enjoy the sunset out on your back porch with a bottle of wine. So long as you are communicating and spending quality time together, the setting doesn’t truly matter!

Tourist for a Day Date

This day date is great for those who enjoy adventure by light but would prefer to be cuddled on the couch at home in the evening.

Do you live in a tourist town? If not, perhaps there is a tourist draw or beautiful scenic spot near your house.

If you live in Niagara Falls, for example, why not take your spouse out for a delightful lunch before playing tourist for the day? Go for a stroll by the thundering waterfall, go behind the waters, and marvel at the beautiful lights of the tourist center.

You don’t have to live near a wonder of the world to have a great faux-tourist experience on your day date. Go out for coffee and dessert together at a fancy restaurant or hit up a delicious brunch restaurant to start the day off.

After filling your bellies, head out to a great museum, art gallery, zoo, or aquarium in your area. Hold hands as you spend the afternoon learning together.

This is a great and interactive date idea that will surely boost communication between you and your spouse.

Dinner and a… Date Ideas

Dinner and a movie is a classic date idea for a reason. The dinner portion of the evening is designed to give you and your spouse an intimate setting where you can flirt, talk, and laugh together as a couple. Plus, who doesn’t like being treated to a delicious meal?

On the other hand, the movie portion of the evening serves as low-pressure entertainment for both parties. There is no pressure to carry on a conversation. Instead, you have a fun treat to look forward to!

Don’t feel like you have to see a movie as the entertainment portion of the evening. This can easily be swapped out for going to a concert, play, or festival in your area.

An Active Date

For this date, you and your spouse are going to be getting active together. Studies show that exercise is good for both your mental and physical health, which puts you in the best mood while you’re spending time with your sweetheart.

Cardio and strength training are great at-home or gym workouts, but there are many other great options for couples’ workouts if you take advantage of the weather.

SPRING: Ditch the treadmill and jog around your neighborhood or in the local botanical garden to take in the beautiful blooming flowers.

SUMMER: Go swimming, surfing, or kayaking together. You can also play volleyball at the beach.

FALL: Play soccer, baseball, or go for a hike together and look at all the beautiful leaves

WINTER: Go sledding, skating, skiing, or go to your local arena or rink and play hockey together.

Do you have trouble sticking to a workout schedule? If so, this romantic and active date idea might just be for you.

This study shows that participants were more likely to stay with their exercise routine for two years or longer so long as they were working out with a partner.

The potential of impressing someone lies in both, male and female. If someone says that he/she is not capable of impressing anyone in life, then it shows the mentality of that person because there is nothing impossible in this world. Having the self-love and dignity can make you a better date and let you impress anyone in a quick period.

With the help of Richer Love Dating Program and their daily courses, you will learn to know about many things for sure. The goal of the professional is to help to be a better person also. Let’s look at some key things that you will undergo to get a better date and attract anyone easily.

Loving Yourself

The ability to love and appreciate yourself is necessary, and you can find that only a few peoples have the skill. If you want to get better and don’t want to get into any issue, then you have to focus on loving yourself. It takes time, but you will be able to gain many benefits which are as follows –

The ability to deal with adversity will improve in various manners because you will take opportunities and won’t fear anything.

You will find improvement in mental health, and it will lead to the ability to target better goals. You will see upcoming opportunities.

The satisfaction in life matters a lot, and if you feel good, then your health will start to improve. It is a matter of time, but if you start loving yourself, then you will get better in a couple of months.

These three benefits are easy to avail when you choose a richer love dating program. It doesn’t matter that how much confident you are or how less confidence you have, this program will help you get better in the nick of time, and you can rely on it with ease.

Ability to Attract

The second thing you can find about this is the ability to attract. There is no need of wasting a single penny on your outer beauty because if you are more confident, then you will look highly attractive. It is easy to find that such things take time and you have to appreciate every single thing otherwise you won’t be able to get all these benefits. It matters a lot and that you start now and keep on proceeding in the direction of future.

The final verdict

So, you must be wondering the final verdict to this question that how this program can help you get a better date. It is not helping directly, but your life will change with this program. You don’t have to waste money on Beauty when you are capable of enhancing your inner self. Most of the people do not focus on such things, and they blame the whole life, but if you love yourself, then you will keep on getting better in the small period. There is always someone out there for you have a good time.

3.3 million households in the UK consist of cohabiting couples based on the Office of National Statistics. Cohabitation is something that has been historically controversial especially because of religious reasons and societal expectations. Yet it is now one of the fastest growing household types as more couples are moving in together for different reasons like cutting costs or taking things “to the next step”. It goes without saying that moving in with a romantic partner is a big deal and should warrant consideration especially when you are not just factoring feelings into the mix.

Cohabiting Logistics

A lot of couples who decide to move in together can get swept away with the high of taking their relationship to the next level. They end up forgetting that they need to approach this with both feet firmly planted on the ground. Logistics plays a huge part when it comes to deciding where the couple is going to live. Potential living situations can get pretty complicated when each person has their own flat or home. Not everyone is willing to give up the space that they have worked to maintain themselves so opening up your space can be a daunting undertaking. Not to mention that it is something that involves a significant amount of planning.

It’s a conversation that you and your significant other will have to tackle early on. It is best to figure out who is moving in with whom or if getting specialised housing is necessary. Think about how the move will affect your commutes to work and if you need to sell or donate any possessions to make space for joint belongings. Consider what to do about re-routing mail to your new place. Talking about these points and many more will help give both of you a stronger idea of the logistics involved with moving in together. Strong communication will also lessen the likelihood of a cohabitation breakdown as found by University College London.

Legal Ramifications

It seems that two-thirds of cohabiting couples in the UK erroneously believe in the existence of common-law marriage as found through a survey by Resolution. Despite having a lengthy or fruitful cohabitation, the couple does not have the same rights as a legally married couple would have. Each person must be aware of their rights before they enter into a cohabiting situation. This is particularly significant when one moves into the home of another. Even if the one who moved in helps to pay the mortgage, they will have no legal claim to it.

It is ideal to explore the legalities of your decision before you go through with it. For example, you can see if drawing up a cohabitation agreement before moving in is an option. Having a frank discussion about your legal expectations about sharing a mortgage or buying things for the shared home is crucial. If you are going to rent a property from a private landlord, it is vital to clarify whose name will be on the lease. Try to see if it is possible to jointly sign on a lease so you both share equal responsibility and thus share equal rights to the rental.

Never forget that the contract with the landlord will have legal ramifications if either of you breaches it or terminates it offhand because of a breakup. Let’s say you spend several unmarried decades with each other and one of you passes. Unless there is a document that says you stand to inherit, you will have no legal rights to it. It would be wise to consult with a solicitor before moving in together so you’ll know what you’re entitled to.

Financial Smarts

Disagreements about money are one of the common roots of breakups in couples both married and unmarried. You can even say that things are harder for unmarried couples precisely because they are mostly unprotected by the law. When you move in with someone, you ultimately agree to shoulder your partner emotionally, psychologically, and – yes – financially. That is, of course, unless you both have a drawn up contract that protects your individual financial interests.

Money matters often involve finding out who pays for what expense in the household. There are those that take a percentile approach toward dividing the bills. There are those that consider the earning power of each person. Only then do they pick which financial responsibilities are theirs. If your partner is going to open up an account under their name, you will have no claim to that and the same applies to them when it comes to your finances. It is of fundamental importance to clarify how the couple is to approach any financial responsibilities in the future.

Seeking a financial set-up that both individuals are comfortable with is the goal of talking about money. While aiming to split everything 50/50 might seem ideal, it does not leave much leeway. It’s not until the couple moves in together that they get a firm idea of how much their lover spends on hobbies and other unnecessary expenses. It is unreasonable to ask a significant other to pay for half when consumption and personal expenses are not evenly split. A good idea is to avoid dealing in absolutes when it comes to money figures. Also, don’t forget to be flexible.

Look To Your Future

Right now it would not be surprising if the couple feels like they are for keeps. Naturally, that’s how a majority of couples who have just brought up moving in together feel. The truth of the matter is there really is no telling what sort of future they will have individually and as a couple. That is why it is critical for each to cast a safety net for their own individual interests. Talking about legalities and finances may not be the most romantic topic to discuss but it is necessary in order to lay a strong foundation for the two people in that very relationship. If these are topics that you cannot broach to your partner at this time, it is important to ask yourself if this is a decision that you are still comfortable on making.

Long-distance relationships can be challenging, to say the least. We’re lucky in the twenty-first century to have many ways of communicating instantly over huge distances. We can stay in touch with loved ones via instant messaging, social media, email, and phone calls. But there’s just something romantic about receiving an actual letter. Here are seven tips for writing a meaningful love letter in a long-distance relationship.

Before you write…

As with just about any project, a love letter will always turn out better if you prepare a bit before you begin. Put some thought into this thing. You don’t want your recipient to look at it and think you copied the words off the internet, it should sound as if it was written just for them. This is why it’s so important that you calibrate your letter for the person you’re writing it to. It’s also nice to time your love letter as a surprise.

Maybe it will be a surprise regardless of when they receive it. But there’s something about receiving a letter on a day other than your birthday, Christmas, or Valentine’s Day. Try not to worry too much about what specific medium or format you use. There is no perfect way to write or deliver a love letter. If you want to try and compose yours in poem form, go for it, but you don’t have to. You can handwrite your letter, type it out and print it, or even send it digitally. There is not perfect medium and they all have their pros and cons.

Different ways of writing a love letter

There’s no perfect way to write a love letter, in fact, there are many good ways. The way you choose will depend on you, your situation, and the person you’re writing to. When you’re in a long-distance relationship, a month by month plan might work.

Write a short letter every month and keep your loved one feeling less lonely and thinking about you. You could also send them love notes on postcards, giving them a peek at the kinds of things you’re seeing in your new location. You could try writing a few notes before you leave and have your loved one open them after you’re gone.

Explain why you’re writing

A good way to start off your letter is to say why you’re writing it. What inspired you? This section can be as brief or as long as you like. “Maybe you’ve been tossing these words around in your head for weeks and finally decided to put them down on paper. Or maybe you were just overcome with the idea recently. The purpose is to give your recipient an idea of what they’re about to get into,” suggests Marylin Collier, romance writer at Eliteassignmenthelp and Ukwritings.

What do you love about them?

What are the things you love about them? Do some brainstorming and list off all the things you can think of. Is it the things you have learned from them? Maybe it’s just the way they smile or how their hair looks first thing in the morning.

Think about some ways physically, sexually, emotionally, and mentally that they have improved your life. These could include things you have told them before, or things they might not even know you appreciate about them. Try and think up a few dozen first and then pick your favorite ones to write about.

Recall some memories

It’s time to brainstorm again, this time think of as many of your favorite memories with this person as you can. These can be anything from the moment you first met, to an anniversary celebration, to a funny memory that’s become an inside joke between the two of you. Once you’ve brainstormed a bunch, pick out your favorites and write about why they mean so much to you.

The more specific, the better

When it comes to describing how you feel, the more the details you include, the better. It can be an amazing experience for them to hear something for the first time, something you’ve been the first to mention, or phrased so uniquely. Every time they become aware of the trait, or whatever it is you mentioned, they will think back to you and your letter.

What does your loved one do that makes your heart skip a beat? Think hard about this one, because it might not come to you right away. But when it does, you’ll know, and it will probably be the highlight of your love letter.

Be sure to properly format and edit your letter

Take some time and edit and format your love letter before you send it out. Paying attention to these little details is important because it shows that you care. Here are some tools that can help you out:

– Via Writing and Top essay writing services – These are both sites where you will find plenty of writing tips and examples of love letters. Sometimes the best way to learn is just by looking at another writer’s work.

– Paper Fellows – Use this online editing tool, which has been recommended by UK Top Writers, to ensure your letter doesn’t have any typos or other errors. Don’t risk looking sloppy with your love letter, make sure it’s perfect.

– Academ Advisor – This is a great source for grammar tips, as well as somewhere you can have your work checked over for errors. Grammar can be tricky, so why not get some professional help?

– Academized and Ox Essays – These online proofreading tools are a great way to make sure your letter is flawless and guarantee your peace of mind.

– MyWritingWay – Check out this great resource when you’re writing your letter, it is perfect for generating catchy and lovely words.

Love letters can be a great way to remind your loved one that, although you are many miles away, you still think about them and care about them. Writing these kinds of letters is a lost art, and most people have no idea where to even start. Follow these seven tips to write a meaningful love letter in a long-distance relationship.

So you’re ready to take the next step, but have no idea where to start? Proposing is a daunting task that can be very scary. What ring do I pick out? Where do I take my partner? What do I say? Those are just some of the questions that are racing through your brain now that you’ve decided to get down on one knee. Even though it seems like there is a lot to do, it will be much simpler than you think! Just let your passion and love for your special someone guide you to make the right choices.

Engagement Ring

The engagement ring is the first place to start. There are no rules for proposing. You should spend what is in your budget and whatever will make your partner happy. But what ring do you choose? The first step is metals. Take a look at the jewelry your fiance-to-be loves to wear. Is it gold or silver? This is very crucial because most people will have a preference for one or the other. They will want to wear their engagement ring every day so it’s important to pick out a metal that goes with their normal jewelry. If there is more gold tones, then get a gold band. The same thing goes for silver!

The stones are the next big part of an engagement ring. There are quite a variety to choose from and this really depends on your significant other’s personal style. Diamonds are the classic choice which can come in many colors and sizes. No matter the color or size, the 4 things you need to know about diamonds are cut, color, clarity, and carat. The cut affects the sparkle of the diamond so it’s the most important! Color only refers to white diamonds because they can range from a dull yellow to a brilliant white. A diamond’s clarity refers to the amount of tiny imperfections on its surface. This is not noticeable to the naked eye. Carat is the weight of a diamond. If a smaller diamond is cut well, then the carat will not matter as much!

Another option is unique stones like sapphires or opal. If your fiance-to-be has a unique style, then this may be a great idea! To get a feel for if they would be interested in a gemstone engagement ring or not, ask their opinion on Princess Kate’s ring or a friend’s. Your partner’s reactions to those will help you decide what to get. Many jewelers, including Blue Nile, offer an assortment of engagement rings from diamonds to gemstones, allowing you to find the ring of your fiance’s dreams.

Online dating is really an entertaining means to find out and get connected to people who you can never even think of communicating in the otherwise case. It’s a registered fact that online dating can bring such partners that are spectacular, gorgeous and well-natured but today’s world has brought about such swaps in online dating that its success rate has diminished, and the percentage of unsuccessful stories followed by crimes, sexual abuse and even deaths in many cases has grown alarmingly. The involvement of external elements like criminals, sexual abusers, cyber bullies, hikers and black sheep in the disguise of sophisticated human beings has deteriorated the genuine essence of online dating. In a nutshell, it can be concluded that the demerits of online dating are heavier than its positive outcomes.

Merits of Online Dating

The analysis of the pros and cons of online dating will enable a social media user to take decisive steps when it comes to joining online dating sites and apps. He/she can figure out to make a decision for his betterment and in case he becomes a member, he will definitely be prepared for the worst as well. Have a look at the few merits:

No More Wandering in Bars

One of the substantial benefits and a strong reason people look for online hook-ups is they get rid of visiting bars and other random locations in search of partners. Online dating sites are readily available to every social media user and in case they like someone; communication, exchange of photos, calls and other detailed information is possible too. The data provided by a match let the other decisions about patching up and having a date while on the contrary, offline dating consumes plenty of time without any guarantee of getting the desired partner.

Diversity for Selection

Millions of users are on various online dating forums. Isn’t it a remarkable opportunity to select someone from such a huge number of daters? Indeed, this is an incredible fortuity to get in contact with anyone that you wish to be with you. Even in a single day, a user can communicate with more than a hundred people for dating. This diversity will be generous enough to bring a perfect match for any user.

Surprising First Date

The first date that happens to own to online match is really surprising and great in many ways. How beautiful and sensation it would be to date a person you just talked on the internet? For me, personally, it will be one of the greatest adventures I can ever do. The match you decided to date with can be beyond your expectation or might be below average in look, face, figure, and other physical attributes. Moreover, live dating proffers a dater to know about his/her match deeply because many people are not what they pretend to be on online sites.

Demerits of Online Dating:-

Not a Safe Option

The online daters are so ripped in the fantasy of meeting and dating a stranger they agree to hook up anyone. This is very shocking to me as I can’t afford to meet a person who I even know to some extent. The online dater, on either side, is not aware of who is sitting and talking to him/her. He might be a person to trap you, kidnap or use for an awful activity that becomes the biggest blunder of your life. The facts, statistics, and reports of various researchers, newspapers, magazines, and journals are enough to tell someone that online dating is not a safe way at all.

No Emotional Involvement

Have you gone into the heart of your match to check out love for you? You can never do so. This is, we believe, the answer to the question whether your partner is emotionally involved in you. The person might be playing with you, might want to meet just for fun and some excitement to bring some real business in his/her life or most probably he/she might be a regular hanky to waste others’ time. There is no scientific or proven formula to calculate emotional touch in either heart. So for me, this is the darkest side of online dating that I would always wish to keep at arms’ length.

It can be Expensive

Let me elaborate on the term “expensive” here. It’s not limited to financial expenses, but it might hurt you, it may put you into some serious nasty trouble, you might be trapped or even killed by the other party. A few days ago, I was reading a report on the danger of online dating apps; I was almost dead to see the increasing crime reports. The most impacted category on the online dating apps is teens and kids. These nascent brains are not powerful enough to take mature decisions. Reduce the expenses and save your lives, community and above all the humanity.

Author Bio:

Lina is Web Content Writer at BlurSPY. She’s relationship adviser. She spends most of her time browsing dating feature and applications through digital devices. Most recently her focus has shifted towards the Android spy app for the cell phone which is making waves in the technology world today.

Back in the days when verbal communication was the only way people could interact, things were harder than today. Dating couples had to wait until they met to communicate a message. Then came the letter posting era, telephone and fast forward to today when we have the internet.

It has changed every aspect of how people do things, especially socializing. People do not need to meet physically to start a relationship. There are many ways in which the internet makes dating possible, and this is what we are going to highlight here.Continue reading

We know that people who go on vacations are more productive at work and more likely to get promoted, but are they also happier in their romantic relationships? A study review published in the Journal of Travel Research found that travel has several benefits for families, relationships, and individuals. Holidays are a reminder of the fact that although some things change when you have been married for many years, your enjoyment of each other and your love, can be stronger than ever if you just take the time to enjoy each other with no pressures of work or other commitments. If you and your partner could use a few days away, discovering new sights and learning more about each other, learning about just a few benefits of holidays may inspire you. Does booking a week away to one of the world’s most romantic cities appeal?

Building Beautiful Memories

When you think back on the highs and lows of your relationships, the best moments are probably centered on travel. As noted in a Study by Shaw, Havitz, and Delemere, holidays build tighter bonds because they provide an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and create memories that are cherished years later. As noted by one participant to their study, investing in a holiday makes sense because you are in essence buying into beautiful memories, not just material things that don’t mean as much when you look back on meaningful moments of your life.

The Effect of Holidays on Relationships

Research by Newman and Newman has found that spending more leisure time together is linked to a lower probability of divorce. Another study by Gilbert and Abdullah, undertaken on over 6,000 people, found that those who took at least four consecutive days off to travel, enjoyed greater wellbeing and happiness. A third study by Hoopes and Lounsbury found that going on holiday increased a couple’s satisfaction once they were back home. Some countries have taken notice of the psychological importance of vacations. Malaysia, for instance, introduced a Second Honeymoon Program in 2010, offering couples who were considering divorce an island getaway where they would enjoy counselling as well as enough time to enjoy the paradisiacal setting together. People argue less and enjoy greater intimacy when they are on their vacation, than in daily life.

Holidays Reduce Stress and Promote Peace in a Relationship

Many studies have shown that holidays are important, particularly when you have a high-stress lifestyle or when, as a couple, you have been through the stress of illness. A study conducted recently by the American Psychological Association found that vacations significantly lower stress levels because they take remove us from the activities and environments that cause worry and anxiety. Holidays ensure we have less headaches and backaches, which puts us into ‘the mood for love’. They also enable us to sleep better, so we feel more alert and are better able to give our full attention to our partner. Simply sleeping poorly or tossing and turning frequently at night can increase our stress levels, so a holiday is a good way to cut both stress and poor sleep hygiene in the bud.

Choosing a Romantic Getaway

Paradisiacal islands and mountainside resorts often spring to mind when we think of a romantic holiday, but if you are a city lover at heart, a buzzing city like New York, with its romantic nightclubs, rooftop terrace restaurants, and meaningful monuments (does the Empire State ring any bells?), has all the ingredients it takes to wine and dine your partner in style. Because New York is so expansive, it offers a plethora of romantic activities, including a picnic at Central Park, a visit to the Hayden Planetarium, or a visit to the Diamond District. Other cities on the top of the romance list include Paris, Sydney, and Venice. Whether you are catching a show at the Moulin Rouge in Paris, walking along the beach in Sydney, or taking a gondola ride in Venice, chances are, you will feel fortunate that you are enjoying all these sites with someone you love.

Making Time for a Nature Escape

If you do choose a city escape, try to find a beautiful green area or seaside part of the area you are visiting, to add a little dose of romance to what will undoubtedly already be an unforgettable trip. Researchers in Finland (Liisa Tyrvainen of the Finnish Forest Institute) recently measured people’s wellbeing in three different environments: busy city parks, urban streetscapes, and wild forests. In their study, participants were asked to take a 15-break in these areas. They found that those who had visited the city parks and forests, felt psychologically restored. These feelings were slightly heightened in a forest setting but interestingly, even being in an urban green area had powerful restorative effects. Another study by scientists at Stanford University, meanwhile, found that walking in a city park lifted the mood, working memory, and attention. Once again, it is evident that by working on our own stress levels, we can give our best self to our partner. Therefore, if you do opt for a city break, consider giving priority to cities with a beach, nearby forests, or numerous green areas in which to relax after a hectic day sightseeing.

If you would love to surprise your partner or spouse with a special gift, a holiday may just be one of the best investments you can make. As mentioned above, material things (a designer outfit, killer pair of shoes, or even an elegant piece of jewellery) don’t really form part of our memory when we recall special moments with our loved one. Holidays don’t have to be expensive, or involve a plane ride and fancy hotels. You don’t even have to leave your city or state to disconnect with your partner. Taking a quick city or nature break for a weekend can help reduce stress and arguments, improve your mood, and make you more aware of/attentive to your loved one.